---
title: "Sugar: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/tv/sugar/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/tv/sugar"
critics_score: 59
critics_reviews: 10
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Sugar (2024): what the critics said

Critics' score 59 from 10 reviews: 5 positive, 2 mixed, 3 negative.

## The Telegraph — Chris Bennion

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 27 March 2024. 

Colin Farrell oozes cool as a film-obsessed PI in a gorgeous homage to Golden Age Hollywood noir. Meirelles directs with verve and the stylish visuals and strong performances make it a treat.

[Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2024/03/27/sugar-apple-tv-review-colin-farrell-homage-to-hollywood/)

## The AV Club — Todd Lazarski

Rating B. 2 April 2024. 

The critic praises Colin Farrell's charismatic performance as a film-obsessed PI channeling classic noir detectives, noting the stylish references and engaging first half. They note that while the project doesn't fully land and becomes predictable, Farrell elevates it significantly.

[Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/sugar-review-apple-tv-plus-colin-farrell-neo-noir-1851379742)

## Evening Standard — Nick Clark

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 27 March 2024. 

Farrell charms as the gumshoe in a playful neo-noir that lovingly references classics while adding its own spin. The series is beautifully shot and enjoyable for film buffs despite a stately pace.

[Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/sugar-apple-tv-review-colin-farrell-b1148101.html)

## The Hollywood Reporter — Daniel Fienberg

Fi1m's normalised score 57/100 (inferred from the text). 27 March 2024. 

The critic finds the series intriguing but frustrating due to excessive coyness about its twist, which overshadows the bland foreground plot. They praise Farrell's terrific performance and the visual style, but complain that the mystery isn't gripping and the coyness kills interest.

[Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/sugar-review-colin-farrell-apple-tv-1235858304/)

## IndieWire — Ben Travers

Rating D+. 4 April 2024. 

The critic finds the series a disappointing neo-noir that fails to overcome its cliches and a sour twist, calling it a stinker overall. They single out its loving homage to Old Hollywood cinema as the purest element amid the failures.

[Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/sugar-review-colin-farrell-apple-series-1234970384/)

## Variety — Alison Herman

Fi1m's normalised score 39/100 (inferred from the text). 5 April 2024. 

The critic finds the series clumsy and clichéd, criticizing the rote mystery, clumsy dialogue, wooden performances, and a baffling twist that comes too late. They single out the overqualified cast performing below their abilities and Farrell's character as unconvincing wish fulfillment.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/2024/tv/tv-reviews/sugar-review-colin-farrell-1235957069/)

## The Guardian

Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 5 April 2024. 

The series is derivative and uninspired with a maddening mid-season twist that undermines the whole thing. Farrell's performance is a highlight but cannot save the narrative cheat.

[Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/apr/05/sugar-review-colin-farrell-private-detective-drama-is-a-disaster)

## Collider — Nate Richard

Rating 8/10. 2 April 2024. 

The critic calls the series an engaging throwback whose bold risks pay off despite some muddling in later episodes. It singles out the unique jump-cut editing splicing in classic noir clips and Farrell's charismatic, enigmatic performance.

[Read the review](https://collider.com/sugar-apple-tv-review/)

## /Film — Ben Pearson

Rating 8/10. 27 March 2024. 

The critic finds the series a strong noir love letter for cinephiles, praising its overt engagement with classic genre tropes through editing and film references alongside Farrell's charming lead turn. It singles out the fresh choice to portray the detective as a genuinely good man in a cynical genre.

[Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1525071/sugar-review-colin-farrell-noir-mystery-apple-tv-plus/)

## Paste — Shane Ryan

Rating 5.3/10. 5 April 2024. 

The critic finds the series a tease with strong performances and direction but ultimately undone by weak writing and an unengaging mystery. It singles out the forced attempts to humanize the protagonist as ringing false in the noir context.

[Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/apple-tv-plus/sugar-review)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/sugar.md